DAY 1 Of #12DaysofChristmas: “What Is Christmas?” by Newton Samson

What is Christmas? To Busayo a child at the orphanage? A time when people remember To come, bring rice and clothes The ones they use or eat never Is it Monday or Tuesday? Just another day.

What is Christmas? To the poor brother Emeka on the street? A time to dance and hail the richer Whether his night food can from there come Or better still fortune may smile and get rice and beans raw. Is it Wednesday or Thursday? He doesn’t care.

What is Christmas? To Hannah the barren wife? She sees her husband gush on other children She looks upon the Virgin Mary and say a prayer still Maybe one day she would her own cuddle Is it Friday or Saturday? Her teary eyes couldn’t see.

What is Christmas? To Shade the aging spinster? She remembers the previous ones And smiles with bitterness She stares at her wedding gown Another Sunday no thanksgiving.

What is Christmas? To Hannah and Busayo? One who sought a child adopts another One who sought love and care found a mother Two together met at the orphanage While one sought to do the yearly good.

What is Christmas? To Emeka and Shade? She remembers the last one And cried with joy A party she was, when she saw a poor man dance He enters with a smile and their bouncing baby girl.

What is Christmas? To you and I? Just one time to do good? Or a time to take stock? What is Christmas? For me? To give and to give.

Newton Samson offers a plethora of simple, yet meditative perspectives reliving the essence of Xmas. If I liked anything he’s done more, it would be his full control or lack of it, of his verses. Nice piece!